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Israel's Bedouins have long been a community caught in the crossfire of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The October 7 attacks on the kibbutz where they worked hit them brutally.
Published on December 16, 2023 11:59 am
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Zyadne family in their Bedouin village, 25 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. (GILLES GALLINARO / RADIO FRANCE)
Living in the Bedouin village of Zyadne, close to the Israeli town of Rahat, means living 25 kilometers from the Gaza Strip with the sound of Israeli bombing in the background. “In the evening we hear the explosions. It was really loud last night,” admits Salem, one of the Zyadne clan men. “When we hear about our army's bombings in Gaza, it worries us because our family is being held hostage in Gaza. And we don’t know where these bombs end up.”
Israel's Bedouins have long been a community caught in the crossfire of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They are one of the branches of the community of Israeli Arabs, descendants of the Palestinians who remained on their land after the creation of Israel in 1948. The vast majority live in the Negev Desert in southern Israel, where many villages were gripped by conflict on October 7.
Youssef, one of the clan's patriarchs, and his son Hamza were kidnapped by Hamas during the attack on Kibbutz Holim where they worked, and no one knows where they are. Youssef's two other children, Aicha and Bilal, were released at the end of November. Back in the village, they can't see anyone, insists their cousin Tamer. “Our returned hostages know exactly what is happening there. It is very difficult for them because when they hear the bombings it makes them even more worried. Their lives are on hold until those still in custody return.”
Tamer and Salem in front of the portrait of their cousins, Hamas hostages. (GILLES GALLINARO / RADIO FRANCE)
“Jewish and our children play together almost every Saturday”
The men in the family say that the war must end immediately. But the Bedouins are a separate community in Israel. They therefore refrain from larger mobilizations to demand the release of the hostages. For these Arabs in Israel, Salem explains, relations with the state are characterized by mistrust.
“We hope that this time the government will not make a distinction between us and the Jews, as it has already done too much.”
Salem, member of the Zyadne clan
at franceinfo
The Bedouins of Zyadne work primarily in agriculture and are employed on the kibbutzim just outside Gaza, which were attacked on October 7. “We have very good relationships with the people there. The Jewish children and ours play together almost every Saturday,” remembers Salem.
Since the war began, the kibbutz residents have not returned and the Bedouins are out of work. The attacks of October 7th changed a lot here. “I think it's too early to talk about what's next. If you ask anyone who was there on October 7th they will tell you they are not going back. And I know what I'm talking about…” Salem breathes. He says he was there with two of his children when Hamas men attacked the kibbutz. He will refuse to say more. Always remain discreet. For the Bedouins of Israel it is a question of survival.
The conflict with Hamas from the perspective of the Bedouins in Israel: Report by Camille Magnard and Gilles Gallinaro
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